Award-winning Cloudburst Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are now available at www.cloudburstwine.com
Margaret River, Australia (April 16, 2014)—Cloudburst, a new Australian wine created by first-time American winemaker Will Berliner, took the Australian wine world by storm, sweeping the 2013 Margaret River Wine Show with its inaugural vintage. Going beyond traditional winemaking philosophies, Berliner has proven that breaking the rules can yield big results. The in-demand wines can now be purchased in the U.S. at www.clourdburstwine.com.
The first ever vintage of Cloudburst Cabernet Sauvignon (2010) took top honors at Australia’s Margaret River Wine Show in 2013, receiving Best Red Wine of Show, Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Best Single Vineyard Estate Red. One of the newest wineries to the Margaret River wine region, first planted in 2005, Cloudburst surpassed many long-established wineries with its exceptional biodynamic wines and is now in high demand in Australia.
A naturalist more than a philosopher, Berliner is pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking. He is on a quest to pursue answers to his personal questions about wine and experimenting; and, at the same time, appreciating the pristine resources of the land. He doesn’t use any chemicals: just milk and sulfur sprays against fungal attack. He cuts out any diseased berries with scissors and instead of slashing, plowing or spraying to control weeds; he pulls them up by hand. Berliner doesn’t irrigate his vines and doesn’t cultivate the soil as others do; he’s attempting to build up a layer of humus, which will mulch the soil. These innovative viticultural practices have resulted in remarkable results for the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
“Every action in the vineyard and winery impacts the wine, so it’s critical to have a gentle hand guided by a long view,” said Cloudburst winemaker Will Berliner. “The result of non-intervention is that the force of the land lives undiminished in the gift of the wine.”
Cloudburst Cabernet Sauvignon (2010, 2011; $250) and Cloudburst Chardonnay (2010; $200) are now available direct-to-consumer to NY, MA, CT, TX, IL, CA and NH and can be purchased at www.cloudburstwine.com. Cloudburst can also be found in top NY, IL, and CA restaurants including Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, Ai Fiori, Blue Hill, Alinea, Boulevard and Spago, among others.
About Winemaker Will Berliner:
As a visionary entrepreneur who has successfully launched a clothing company and produced documentary films, Will Berliner adds winemaker to his repertoire with the launch of Cloudburst Wine in 2010. He brings a profound curiosity about nature and a reverent respect for terroir to his winemaking practice. An American, he moved to the Margaret River region with his Australian wife. Sensing a calling from his land, he decided to study viticulture at the University of California at Davis and learned about biodynamic practices. He incorporated innovative viticultural practices resulting in a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that are commanding attention by sommeliers, critics and consumers, alike.
About Cloudburst:
The Cloudburst vineyards adjoin Aboriginal land and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park on the wine route in Margaret River, Western Australia. The first vines of Cloudburst were planted in 2005 and are the only close-
planted, own-rooted, non-irrigated biodynamic vineyard in the Margaret River region. The region is blessed with a Mediterranean climate ideal for the French varietals. Margaret River wineries enjoy a high-end, boutique status as they comprise only 3 per cent of the country’s wine offerings yet command over 20 per cent of today’s Australian premium wine market.
